ODT

NationalMay 18

Maori 'full of crime and welfare': Act donor

The biggest donor to Act New Zealand says he gave the money to Don Brash and John Banks so they could stop special treatment for Maori who were "either in jail or on welfare".

OpinionMay 4

Week in politics: In absence of public pressure, Key stands by Banks

Make no mistake. Prime Minister John Key will dump the Hon John Archibald Banks QSO CNZM from his ministry if circumstances so dictate.

NationalApril 27

Banks sought split donation: Dotcom

Act New Zealand leader John Banks asked for a $50,000 political donation to be split into two parts so it could be made anonymously, says Kim Dotcom and one other witness.

OpinionApril 27

Act adopts softly-softly approach over charter schools

With work now starting on the blueprint for the first batch of "charter" schools, the scene would seem to have been set for a real ding-dong battle as opponents try to mobilise the only weapon they have to halt or at least delay the concept becoming reality - public opinion.

OpinionApril 20

Week in Politics: Unfair 'Epsom clause' cynically backed by those it helps

The word "reform" drips readily off the tongues of politicians.

OpinionDecember 7

Act NZ's decreasing circle

Former Act MP Gerrard Eckhoff, of The Half Mile, Alexandra, explores why the party's support has plummeted.

NewsNovember 16

Peters puts Brash on back foot

Act New Zealand leader Don Brash was forced into defensive mode over the so-called teapot tapes during last night's TVNZ minor parties leaders' debate as NZ First's Winston Peters challenged Prime Minister John Key to come clean over the incident.

NationalNovember 13

Act launches campaign, after cup of tea

Act New Zealand finally launched its election campaign yesterday after it became clear last week why the party was waiting until the last minute.

NationalNovember 8

Act pledge to reform 'Frankenstein' RMA

Act has announced plans to overhaul the "Frankenstein legislation'' it says the Resource Management Act (RMA) has become.

NationalOctober 9

Brash denies Banks vetting speeches

Act New Zealand leader Don Brash has dismissed as "garbage" suggestions that John Banks is vetting his speeches, after claims he had ditched a speech on welfare at Mr Banks' insistence.

NationalAugust 29

Calvert relaxed about dumping

Act New Zealand MP Hilary Calvert was philosophical yesterday despite being dumped from the party list for November's election less than a year after entering Parliament.

NationalJuly 10

Calvert defends Act campaign

Dunedin's Act New Zealand MP Hilary Calvert last night endorsed her party's controversial newspaper campaign criticising Maori rights, saying the advertisements aimed to spark debate and "it's good to have some things talked about".

NationalJune 19

Opinion: Act revelling in new-found energy

Act New Zealand members were yesterday congratulating themselves that a change of leadership had brought a new energy and enthusiasm to a political party many voters had written off.

DunedinMay 17

Act MP Calvert's long list of assets

Act New Zealand's newest MP, Dunedin's Hilary Calvert, has an interest in 23 properties and 28 companies - but is keeping quiet on how much she is worth.

NationalMay 11

Leadership change matter of what was best for Act, NZ

OpinionMay 6

Parliament's inflexibility displaces Act press conference

If the law is an ass, then Parliament's rules are sometimes as stubborn and stupid as a pack of mules.

NationalApril 29

Brash character survives from past

The only colour in the small apartment from which Dr Don Brash plotted the downfall of Rodney Hide is three red cushions.

EditorialApril 29

Now for the post-coup turbulence

The political landscape stretching predictably out before the November 26 election with barely a wrinkle in sight just got more interesting - or at least unpredictable.

NationalApril 27

Brash set to lead Act party

Don Brash looks certain to become the new Act leader, with the party's newest MP, Hilary Calvert, switching sides yesterday after a private meeting in Dr Brash's Auckland apartment.

NationalApril 27

The Don Brash revivalist show

The symbolism of an Easter uprising might be lost on most people without some knowledge of British history, but not, it seems on Don Brash, erstwhile leader of the National Party, hopeful leader of the Act New Zealand party, and possible leader of a new political party.

DunedinNovember 7

MP defends student union Bill

ACT New Zealand Party MP Heather Roy took a shot on Saturday at student opposition to her Bill requiring voluntary membership of students' associations.

NationalOctober 3

Brothel not mine: Dunedin MP

New ACT MP Hilary Calvert says she has no criminal skeletons in her closet, but she has admitted that a brothel is run from one of her investment properties.

DunedinSeptember 27

Calvert sparks row with Walls

Only days into her tenure as Act's latest MP, Hilary Calvert has become embroiled in a spat with a Dunedin city councillor over her criticism of the city council.

DunedinSeptember 23

Dunedin lawyer headed for Parliament

Out goes lawyer David Garrett and in comes lawyer Hilary Calvert, as ACT rearranges the deck chairs on its political Titanic.

NationalSeptember 19

Hide says party still behind him

Epsom MP Rodney Hide continues to cling to his leadership of embattled Act New Zealand as a party insider and political opponents called for him to step down over his role allegedly covering up MP David Garrett's identity theft charges.